Few people think of Intel when they think of network computers or Java, but that changed on Thursday. "Intel has an interesting role to play in Java," said Intel spokeswoman Jane Rauckhorst. "We think it's a great language and we want it to run well on Intel."
Thursday's announcement with IBM that Intel will provide processors for IBM's Java-based network computers (NC) showed a new level of Java support by the PC chip giant.
"We're already working with partners to make sure there are good tools out there for developers writing for Java on Intel," Rauckhorst said. "We just haven't been in the foreground on it."
Intel was all over IBM's network-computing map in the announcement, from IBM's plan for high-end Network Stations (its network computer line) based on a future Intel processor to tweaking the company's Java operating system to meet a thin-client specification from Intel, called the Intel "Lean Client Guidelines."
The goal, the companies said, was to dovetail the Intel architecture with IBM's Java operating system and expand the network computing market.
JavaOS for Business -- the network-computer operating system co-produced by IBM and Sun -- will be "tuned" for Intel-based IBM network computers. A high-end version of the IBM Network Station based on the forthcoming, but nameless, Intel microprocessor that runs Java OS for Business is slated for the first half of 1999.
"We view Intel as the market leader for chip technology for the desktop," said Tim Thatcher, IBM's marketing manager for the Java business line. "We believe the same hardware technology utilized in PCs is also a technology that's as viable an option for manufacturing network computers."
Bringing Intel on board adds new momentum to the Java-based NC push led by IBM and Sun Microsystems. Sun was not part of today's announcement, which was predictable, as it was IBM's past relationship with the chip giant that helped bring Intel to the NC table. But Sun spokespeople voiced general enthusiasm for the new partnership and its significance for Java.
The most ardent champions of network computing, notably Oracle and Network Computing Inc. chief Larry Ellison, posit the network-computer architecture as a future challenger to PCs running Microsoft's Windows operating systems.
But Intel, Microsoft's partner in providing the dominant "Wintel" PC platform, and IBM don't see today's announcement as portending anything too radical. "We've not seen any replacement of PCs by NCs," said Rauckhorst. "We see [this] as an adjunct to the PC market."
Others envision at least some competition, however. "There is definitely some overlap between the NC space and traditional desktop PC," said Patricia Seybold Group analyst Anne Thomas. "I suspect this will be stealing a little bit from the PC."
But that prospect, she said, while likely to annoy Microsoft, is no loss for Intel. "As far as Intel is concerned, they want to sell chips. Why would they care whether they're in NCs or PCs?"
Reacting to the move, Microsoft said it has its own successful plan for a low-cost terminal upgrade platform that will trump the network computer. "Intel's Lean Client specification supports a variety of devices and platforms, including Windows-based terminals, Net PCs, and sub-US$1,000 PCs," said John Frederickson, Microsoft's product manager for Windows-based terminals and terminal servers.
"Our position on the network computer is that it's either a very expensive Windows-based terminal or an incompatible PC," he said. "So IBM's move towards using Intel chips we don't think will have any impact on that."
Thomas generally views the announcement as a move by Intel to begin feeling out the so-far-minuscule NC market -- IBM's Network Stations sold just 140,000 units worldwide in 1997, according to Zona Research. Its growth, Thomas says, is dependent on software, especially the operating system.
"We don't have the software required to support [the NC] -- and that's only a matter of time." Once a decent OS is in place -- and Thomas sees Java OS for Business filling that role -- the must-have productivity applications, such as Lotus's Java-based eSuite application package will follow, she says.
If today's move helps propel IBM's JavaOS into wider deployment, it would represent a significant piece of the network computing puzzle. "JavaOS for Business is a really critical piece for making this industry ever happen."
The JavaOS for Business software will support both the Network Computer Reference Platform and the Intel Architecture Lean Client Guideline. The initial release will support Intel processors and will be available to manufacturers by the middle of this year, IBM said.
